So how exactly do I know if I’m having a spiritual awakening? Will I feel it? Will I know what to do? There is no way to measure or verify an exact moment when an awakening begins, or even how it will unfold, so I’m trusting my intuition and going with the flow.

Some people are morning people and some people are not. People are complex and diverse and every spiritual awakening looks different. Some experience their eyes popping open to a brand new revelation and begin their new journey instantly and full steam ahead while others have to rub their eyes and slowly adjust to the light of a new day. But, any way you “wake up”, the important thing is to begin the process when it is presented to you.

When I open my eyes every morning, I have a noticeable transition between the beautiful world of my dreams (which used to be nightmares) and my reality flooding in. I take a deep breath and try to choose a mantra for the day such as:

“Today is a good day to have a good day”

“What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger”

“Time to make the donuts”

Depends on my mood.

At first, it takes me a moment to get moving, but the two little girls staring at me and breathing their morning breath into my face are not always sympathetic to that. It’s just me and the girls most mornings, so I have to hop to it as soon as duty calls.

Coffee helps.

I normally have to patiently breathe through those first few moments, set my intention quietly, and rise up before I’m ready. Stumbling for the bathroom, I hear the demands, the whining, the complaining beginning pretty immediately. I remind myself that my girls have just woken up as well and it’s even harder to manage those early morning feelings when you’re only a little girl.

I take a lot of deep breaths in the morning.

And then it occurred to me. This waking up I do everyday is a mirror of the awakening I have been experiencing for the last few years. My awakening is happening a little bit at a time, and I have to work with what I have here in my life. I don’t always have control over when I wake up, when I go to sleep, or whether or not I sleep through the night. So, I have to adapt, adjust, and roll with it without losing sight of my “why” and how much all of this means. There is a lesson in all of this and I trust that I’m learning it in the right time. I’m exactly where I need to be. During an awakening, you may learn things that take your life in new directions. Learning to let go and peacefully flowing with that momentum can be comforting. We only get to do this life once and regret is the worst thing to own.

So even with a few steps backwards along the way and little sufferings peppered in with the beautiful moments, I’m slowly rubbing my eyes and opening them to new possibilities and the idea that I can become a more peaceful and balanced person. I believe the capacity for enlightenment is the same for all people although not everyone is capable of recognizing it. I also think that our degree of feeling awake changes in different moments and states that we experience, and that’s ok.

As with most things spiritual, the act and result of experiencing an awakening is unmeasurable and unverifiable. It’s up to each of us to label and define our own journey. So, whether your eyes pop open in a revelation or you have to slowly adjust to the light, roll with your awakening and be grateful for another day to enjoy it.

Every day is a good day to have a good day, but it’s up to you to make it good.

Now, who wouldn’t want that? I speak from experience on this. I have spent the last two years trying to better myself body, mind and spirit. I realized after getting deep into this journey that I still have a long road to travel, but I have actually accomplished a few things so far. I have picked up a lot of momentum along the way and when I stop for a breather and look back to see my progress, I’m satisfied. I’m satisfied and motivated for more change! So, here are 10 changes I have made that I think are quite easy to integrate into almost any lifestyle. And here I am a happier, healthier person for having made these very changes!

Drink more water! Drink half your body weight in ounces of water everyday. Yes, you read that right. Try it for a week and see how much better you feel. Better yet, try it for 30 days because that that is how long it takes to incorporate new behavior into your life. Drinking plenty of water helps keep you hydrated inside and out. So, if you’re looking for a way to shed that water weight and/or those fine lines and wrinkles, no magic lotions, potions or diets necessary, it’s as easy as drinking enough water everyday.

Eat your breakfast! Every morning I have to get myself and 2 children ready for school before 9am so it would be very easy to dream up an excuse for not eating breakfast. Well, I stopped doing that and I started having a nutritionally dense protein shake every morning. It takes me 52 seconds to prepare and even less than that to drink it and I feel much more satisfied than I used to feel leaving the house on an empty stomach. In fact, I feel VERY satisfied! It’s a delicious and it’s chocolate!

Take your vitamins! Even with our best efforts to eat a healthy diet, most of us do not get the necessary nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from our food. And don’t get me started on processed foods and GMOs! It’s very important to include the right vitamins and supplements into your diet everyday. And, now that I’m starting my day with a protein shake full of the vitamins and minerals that my body needs, I can effectively absorb these vitamins I’m taking.

Eat more organic food and use less toxic products! I’ve seen plenty of studies showing that organic food has more nutrients and less toxins. It’s as simple as that. It’s all about what you value, and I value the health of my family. I choose to spend a few extra dollars on buying certain foods organic and figure out ways to save a few dollars on other household needs. Everyone has different priorities and that is for each family to decide. What I put in my family’s bodies and what I use to clean our house, clothing and toys are very important to me. I don’t mind spending a little more money on that. It’s worth it.

Stop drinking soda! Soda is sugar water that has no nutritional value and leads to obesity and diabetes among other things. Even drinking DIET soda doesn’t keep you safe from the many dangerous effects. Some of the many scary side effects include an increase in fat around your liver, heart and kidney issues, muscle loss, cavities, memory loss, nerve disorders, behavioral problems, infertility, osteoporosis, accelerated aging, and worse. And, if that’s not enough just Google all the things you can clean and dissolve with Coke. That’s just more than enough about that.

Swap your coffee for tea! This one will ruffle some feathers, so if you insist on sticking with your coffee ritual consider switching to an organic, instant coffee and enjoying one cup with less toxins rather than a pot full of coffee that may contain toxic chemicals. But for a moment, consider that coffee is a stimulant and effects the hormone serotonin in our brains which controls sleep, mood and appetite. When you put a chemical into your body that regulates these things, you impede the body’s natural ability to do so. It will also effect your hunger signals and contribute to that late afternoon slump. So, take all of this into consideration when you decide how important coffee is to your daily routine and remember that Starbucks also sells tea.

Discover adaptogens! Stress on your body and your mind has become a regular part of life in today’s world. The fight or flight instinct that we all have has become overused and worn thin. We all experience stress and we all search for a way to successfully manage it. Adaptagenic herbs help your body balance stress related demands such as impatience, anxiety and irritability. Calm your nerves and reduce the impact of stress with drinks that have these properties. The ones that have worked for me are Ionix Supreme and t+Chai both made by Isagenix.

Keep snacking! Keep your blood sugar and insulin levels stable and stop yourself from eating too much at your main meals by consuming small amounts throughout the day. Remember to keep your calorie intake at a reasonable level. Eating more often doesn’t mean that you should eat MORE. Grazing throughout the day should be in a mindful way and with regulation. Done properly, a balanced day of eating can lead to a healthier diet and leaner body.

Forget perfection! If you strive to be perfect you are doomed to fail. Give yourself a break. I do my best to eat healthy, organic meals and live a healthy lifestyle, but nobody is perfect. I live by the 80% good and 20% not-so-perfect rule. If I’m tempted by something I don’t have to beat myself up for saying yes. Everything in moderation.

Think happy thoughts! When you join The Optimist’s Club you will enjoy less depression, better coping skills, increased life span, greater resistance to the common cold, and lower levels of distress. Gain a better understanding of positive self-talk and change your world! Self-talk is the stream of chatter that runs through your head. Make your thoughts more positive and enjoy a more positive outlook on life. Reduce stress with more positivity to yield amazing health benefits. It’s that easy and you have complete control over your thoughts. Give it a try! To successfully incorporate all of these things into your life all you need is the desire and motivation to be well! I have been able to achieve this and I know you can to! Get in touch with me to learn more about getting well and staying well!! drakejamie@mac.com